Page 4 of How to Avoid a Billionaire

“I bet.”

They ordered dinner from the menu, and Melanie scanned the restaurant, noting the booths and workers calling out orders. Customers at the other tables were dressed in shorts and flip-flops. The casual atmosphere made her feel like she and Ryder were way overdressed.

When her food arrived, Melanie took small bites, the appetite from earlier gone. Ryder had no such qualms as he took a huge bite of his sandwich and ate several chips. She doubted he’d ever been to a place this casual, or not for a very long time. Despite that he appeared relaxed, as if he could blend well in any environment. What was he doing here now?

He looked up and found her watching him, and she blushed. He stilled then placed his sandwich on the paper it had come wrapped in. “You mesmerize me with those eyes. So unusual.”

She wanted to say something sassy, but nothing came to mind. “I got them from my dad. He’s Chinese.”

“Intriguing. And your mother?”

“My mother is black, so I got her skin tone and this ridiculous hair.” The one part of her that she lamented over was her hair. Even as she mentioned it, she raised a hand to try to smooth the flyaway locks. Growing up, she’d always wished she had inherited the straight black hair from her father’s side. The color came from him, but her mane would not be tamed no matter what products she dumped in it.

Ryder grasped a few strands between his fingers. “I like it.” He captured her with his teasing gaze. “Tell you what. We’ll both resolve not to fall in love.”

Melanie burst out laughing. “I don’t think you’re in any danger.”

He leaned forward, his attention never faltering from her. The humor disappeared so she didn’t know how to read him. “I don’t know about that.”

Melanie sucked in a ragged breath. She stuffed her sandwich between her lips and took a bite. Chewing gave her time to pull herself together. That is until Ryder found a dab of mayonnaise to the side of her lip and used his thumb to wipe it off. He held it up for her to see, and she stuttered her thanks.

“You know about me. Tell me more about you.”

She set her sandwich down with care. “There’s nothing much to tell. Are you really interested?”

“I am.”

“I’m an advertising executive.” She paused, waiting for recognition, or at the least a flash of bitterness and got nothing, so she moved on. “I’m new to the business, fresh out of college.”

His brows went up. “I didn’t think you were that young.”

“I’m not. I’m twenty-eight, but I took a couple years off school to find myself. Let me tell you, my dad was not happy.”

He grinned. “Pissed him off?”

She nodded. “For a little while we weren’t even talking. Or rather, he wasn’t acknowledging my existence. My mom brought him around. He loves her.”

“That’s a radical difference in culture.”

“Yes, but my mom fell in love with the Chinese people and their ways.”

“Did she live there?”

“Not at first. For years, she dreamed of going there, and oddly enough on her first trip, she met my dad, and they were meant for each other.”

“Ah, a fairy tale.” She had the feeling he didn’t believe in them. “Please, continue.”

She eyed him a minute and then went on. “She said she never thought she would get him here, but she eventually did and they stayed. They had me later than most people have kids. She was thirty-nine and he was forty-two. Oh, look at me going on and on. I must be boring you.”

“Not at all.” He let the tips of his fingers come close to hers, but this time he didn’t touch. The response in her body was no less charged with desire. “I find you fascinating. Tell me you don’t have a lover right now.”

“You cut to the chase.”

He shrugged. “I go after what I want. Is there something wrong in that?”

She decided not to answer or she’d get herself in trouble. They chatted some more before Ryder paid the bill, and they stood to leave. She cringed walking ahead of him, imagining he spotted the run in her pantyhose.

Melanie headed to her car and turned to face Ryder. “This is me.”

---